Drive through Lyndhurst, Cranbourne or Narre Warren and most of what you see is render and brick veneer. These homes are now hitting their first or second repaint cycle, and masonry painting has its own rules.
Render moves, and it cracks
Hairline cracks in render are normal - houses settle and render is rigid. The question is always which cracks are cosmetic and which suggest movement worth a closer look. Cosmetic cracks get filled with a flexible exterior filler and disappear under the topcoats. Wide or recurring cracks deserve an honest conversation before anyone paints over them.
Brick: paint it right or leave it alone
Face brick can be painted, and plenty of Melbourne homes have been. Two things matter:
- It's close to permanent. Paint comes off masonry only with real effort. Make sure you want the look long term.
- Breathability. Brick and mortar hold and release moisture. A coating that seals the wall completely can trap moisture and cause the paint to blister. The right masonry system lets the wall breathe.
Previously painted brick is simpler: clean, scrape, spot-prime, recoat.
Cleaning is half the job
Render and brick collect chalking (that powdery residue on your hand), cobwebs, pollution film and mould on the shaded south side. A proper wash - sometimes a soft pressure wash, sometimes a scrub with a mould treatment - has to happen before paint, or the new coats stick to the grime instead of the wall.
Primer where it's needed
Fresh render needs time to cure before painting, and bare or powdery surfaces need a masonry sealer or primer. Sound, previously painted surfaces in good condition can often go straight to topcoats after preparation.
Colour on masonry
Render holds colour beautifully and mid-to-dark tones are popular on estate homes. Dark colours on sun-facing walls run hotter and can shorten coating life, so product choice matters more as colours get darker.
Thinking about repainting your render or brick home? Call 0420 596 677 and we'll talk through what's involved.